Chapter 706: Cardinal's Anxiety
Awakening from the initial shock, Mary found herself standing at the entrance of the majestic mansion. She proceeded through the expansive porch, eventually reaching the grand main hall. Inside, a gathering of more than six individuals engaged in what appeared to be a significant discussion.
Seated prominently on the lavish Lawson sofa in the middle of the hall was a slender older man, his face etched with wrinkles. He sported long grey hair, a distinguished celestial nose, bluish eyes, and thick eyebrows. Adorned in a glorious golden robe and with a miter resting on his head, he grasped a silver cane in his left hand. This figure was none other than Cardinal Benedictus.
Mary's attention swiftly shifted to the left side sofa, where two individuals sat with a serious demeanor. Among them was a 70-year-old man with blonde hair, and beside him, a middle-aged woman elegantly attired in a long white gown. The woman covered her head with a black scarf, revealing only her oval face. These figures were none other than Richard and the Holy Maiden.
Across from them, on the opposite sofa, three more individuals dressed in golden robes were engaged in what seemed to be a weighty discussion.
But the thing that made her more nervous was the constant screams and cries of women and children coming from the underground.
'What the heck are those sounds? Is this place some kind of secret laboratory?' A strange sense of fear and uneasiness appeared in her heart.
As Mary entered the main hall, she started hearing their conversation more clearly.
"What are we going to do? Should we ask help from His Holiness?" Holy Maiden spoke.
"He won't help us. Also, he must be very mad about us holding Oberon as captive." Richard shook his head.
"Haa, what does he want from us? I don't think that Legendary Powerhouse released his wisdom power out of curiously or anything. You guys still remember the oppressive feeling? I never even felt such power in my lifetime." Cardinal Benedictus said while controlling his shaky hands.
At that moment, everyone noticed footsteps coming from the entrance and looked in the direction where Mary was.
"You are?" Cardinal Benedictus asked with a frown.
Hiding her flustered face, Mary instantly bowed her head and answered.
"I'm Mary, the only adopted daughter of Reynolds, Your Eminence. Lord David asked me to relay important information to you."
"Is it something to do with that Legendary Powerhouse's presence?"
"Yes, Your Eminence. And he already took full control over that house in El Street and is constantly saying it belongs to him."
"Hmm? Isn't this villa and that house I took after the death of a woman from the Nightwind family? I even asked permission from the main family to use this house, though. So, who is this guy dares to even oppose the Life Church?"
Mary hesitated for a second and soon added.
"He said his name is 'Charles Nightwind,' Your Eminence. And he also said that he has something called 'S-13' in his hand."
"S-13? Wait, Charles Nightwind?" Cardinal's eyes widened. He wasn't new to this name.
'I read the report of him causing ruckus in Moon and Iron Kingdom. But I heard that he got killed two decades ago, though.' He furrowed his brows and fell into deep thoughts.
"If he really has S-13, I don't think he will give it to me. And from the looks of it, he seems pretty angry about me taking over his property. Without the blessing of 'Divine' and the loss of my health, it's still difficult for me to face a legendary powerhouse alone." He still recalled the oppressive power and glanced at his friends.
"I'm not strong enough to even face a normal Legendary Mystic. He is way out of my league." Holy Maiden raised her hands and gave up on confronting such a powerhouse.
Others also shook their heads and lowered their heads.
"It seems I've no other choice but to compromise with him. Also, if I didn't return in two hours, destroy this villa and escape."
"What about you, Your Eminence?" Holy Maiden asked.
"I've the teleportation scroll with me. As long as I have enough time, Ican easily escape." Cardinal Benedictus said solemnly and stood up.
Cardinal Benedictus's decision hung in the air, creating a heavy silence in the room. Mary observed the expressions of the individuals present, realizing the severity of the situation. The constant screams from the underground only added to the tension, creating an uneasy atmosphere.
After some thought, Cardinal Benedictus made up his mind and decided to return to Riverdale City.
After that, they didn't stay in the Wind Villa and hurriedly left the mansion. While Mary hopped on the horse, Cardinal Benedictus left the villa with his carriage.
...
Back at the El Street house, Charles and Runeth continued their efforts to sever the link between the Nightmare Realm and the real world. The runes and symbols glowed as Runeth chanted incantations, his hands moving skillfully through the air.
Meanwhile, Charles observed the process, deep in thought.
Suddenly, a surge of energy rippled through the air, causing Charles and Runeth to pause. The atmosphere shifted, and they exchanged glances, sensing something had changed.
Simultaneously, the dream stone in the center of the array circle broke and shattered into pure powders.
"All done. But I still feel the power of dream realm in the surroundings. It might take some time to completely disappear." Runeth spoke solemnly and turned around.
Charles nodded as he moved towards the window, looked outside at the group of knights and robed priests gathered at the entrance, and spoke.
"This is more than enough for now. All that is left is to wait for Cardinal to arrive."
Saying so, he covered the window using a curtain, turned around, and soon walked out of the room.
Then, Runeth and Charles returned to the ground floor and patiently waited for Cardinal Benedictus to arrive.
After waiting more than an hour, a luxurious red-curtained carriage arrived before the compound entrance gate, and soon, an older man with long grey hair stepped out of it.
The older man wore a golden robe, a miter on his head, and held a silver cane in his hand – unmistakably, it was Cardinal Benedictus. His presence carried an air of authority, and the knights and priests immediately bowed as a sign of respect.
Instead of greeting them, Cardinal instantly looked at the forcefield-like fire spell encircling the whole house and tried to touch it.
But before his hand could get near, he strangely felt a severe burning sensation and retracted his hand.
"This is indeed a Legend Rank Spell! Even my powerful attack spell won't have any effect on it." He could tell without even experimenting on the forcefield.
At that moment, Charles walked out of the house, approached Cardinal Benedictus, and quietly stopped at the golden forcefield layer, creating a tense atmosphere that settled over the courtyard.
Cardinal's eyes suddenly turned white as Charles approached him and tried to look into his astral form.
A second later, his eyes saw a well-refined silhouette of Charles and instantly felt an oppressive feeling.
He felt an endless amount of power emitting from the astral form for a second and was baffled.
'Goodness!'
Charles also noticed him trying to pry his soul and instantly blocked him with his wisdom power.
The next instant, Cardinal felt a sharp, invisible force gripped his heart and other organs and staggered.
He felt his internal organs being ruptured and soon vomited a mouthful of blood, causing panic among the surrounding people.
Thankfully, Cardinal Benedictus healed his body using the 'Nature's Heal' spell and gave Charles a deep look.
'What a terrifying monster! He could've killed me with his wisdom power alone!' Cold sweat dripped on his forehead.
"If you cherish your life, don't try to look into me again." A cold voice came out of Charles's mouth.
"Charles Nightwind," Cardinal Benedictus began, his gaze slowly composed, "I see you've taken control of this property. What is the meaning of this, and what is your purpose?"
Charles met the Cardinal's gaze squarely. "You have some nerve after taking over my property without even consulting me, Cardinal." He paused as he waved his hand, created a gap in the forcefield for a person to pass through, and added.
"Only you are allowed to enter."
His words angered all the Holy Knights and priests around him.
"Stop! I'll take care of this matter." Cardinal instantly raised his hand, soothed everyone's anger, and entered the forcefield.
"Follow me," Charles quietly resealed the forcefield-like spell and started walking back to the house. Cardinal followed him closely and soon found himself standing in the living room.
But his attention was instantly drawn to the 40-year-old man sitting on the wooden chair.
Even though he didn't release his wisdom power to check on him, he felt an immeasurable amount of aura emitting from him.
'He is a monster too!'
Charles glanced at Cardinal Benedictus calmly, allowing the weight of his presence to settle in the room. Runeth, who sat nearby, observed the unfolding situation with a watchful eye.
Though taken aback by the intensity of Charles's power, Cardinal Benedictus managed to cool down his head.
'Even if he is a Legendary Powerhouse, he has no experience in battle or social skills. As long as I talk with him for a while, I'm sure I'll get away from this situation alive.' His cunning mind started to act.
He acknowledged the situation's complexity and realized that the man before him was not to be trifled with. So, his only way to solve the current situation was not using strength but with wits.
